The online version is available at: http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/press
MEDIA CONTACT
Contact information for the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) staff member who is best qualified to answer media questions on a particular subject accompanies each news release and brief. Should you be unable to reach the staff member or if you have other media questions, please call MFB Media Support Services Manager Jill Corrin toll-free at (800) 292-2680, ext. 6585 or direct at (517) 323-6585.
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AGRINOTES & NEWS FOR July 24, 2008
THIS ISSUE:
A steer who became a celebrity because he has a map of Michigan on his hide will have a permanent home in Michigan, thanks to Farm Bureau Insurance. .
For more information, contact Luke Schafer, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2753, or Jill Corrin, ext. 6585
With runaway energy prices weighing on everyone's mind and wallet these days, the agricultural community and others interested in advancing alternative forms of renewable energy are encouraged to take advantage of discounts for early registration to the Michigan Bio-Economy Summit.
For more information, contact Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
For a larger digital version of these photos please email us at mfbinfo@michfb.com.
To see photos, please go to the online version which is available at http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/press
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PHOTO CAPTIONS:
For a larger digital version of these photos please email us at mfbinfo@michfb.com.
To see photos, please go to the online version which is available at http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/press
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Bovine is Pure Michigan
A bovine born a state of Michigan fan is guaranteed to stay in the state now that Farm Bureau Insurance has purchased the farm animal from a Saginaw County cattleman. As pictured right, the steer sports a distinctive marking that closely resembles the Michigan mitten.
Farm Bureau Insurance is housing the animal at the Wolcott Mill Farm Learning Center in Macomb County for the public to enjoy. Pictured above, previous owners Jacob and Georgia Kessler pose with the steer on their Spaulding Township farm prior to the bovine's transfer to the learning center.
Bovine is Pure Michigan
A bovine born a state of Michigan fan is guaranteed to stay in the state now that Farm Bureau Insurance has purchased the farm animal from a Saginaw County cattleman. As pictured right, the steer sports a distinctive marking that closely resembles the Michigan mitten.
Farm Bureau Insurance is housing the animal at the Wolcott Mill Farm Learning Center in Macomb County for the public to enjoy. Pictured above, previous owners Jacob and Georgia Kessler pose with the steer on their Spaulding Township farm prior to the bovine's transfer to the learning center.
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'Famous Michigan Bovine' gets new home to show off unique hide
Farm Bureau Insurance buys, loans animal to Michigan learning farm
Contact: Luke Schafer, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2753 or Jill Corrin, ext. 6585
LANSING, July 24, 2008 - A steer who became a celebrity because he has a map of Michigan on his hide will have a permanent home in Michigan, thanks to Farm Bureau Insurance.
The Lansing-based insurer purchased the unique animal from Saginaw County cattle farmer Jacob Kessler, and has relocated the steer to the Wolcott Mill Farm Learning Center in Macomb County.
The animal's hide has distinctive markings which embody the state of Michigan. On one side is the Michigan mitten, which he is famous for, and the other side a large U, which Farm Bureau Insurance says stands for the Upper Peninsula.
Known as the "Famous Michigan Bovine," the steer made national news because of its unusual markings and became a celebrity around Saginaw. Radio commentator Paul Harvey mentioned the animal on his news show, and several newspapers and Web sites ran photos of the steer.
"We call ourselves Michigan's Insurance Company because we're dedicated to serving only Michigan. We also want to bring a little fun to the state. The Famous Michigan Bovine is like a fun gift to the people of Michigan," said Jim Robinson, Farm Bureau Insurance executive vice president.
The steer, born May 7, 2006, on Kessler's farm in Spaulding Township just outside of Saginaw, is a full-blooded Michigander, according to Luke Schafer, public relations manager for Farm Bureau Insurance.
"He was born in Michigan, raised in Michigan, and he's staying in Michigan," Schafer said. "Our state has the robin, white tail deer, and the wolverine, but this is the first Michigan mascot that actually features the state on its body."
A new home
After purchasing the animal July 18, Farm Bureau Insurance loaned it to the Wolcott Mill Farm Learning Center in Ray Township, where it will be on display to the general public for the next several years. The center, part of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, is an operational farm where visitors can experience the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of modern farm life.
"This will be a great home for the Famous Michigan Bovine," said Robinson. "He'll spend his life with other farm animals, be accessible to any Michigan resident who wants to see him, and live out his days drawing visitors to the Wolcott Mill Metropark."
Wayne H. Wood, president of the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies, said the steer and its new home represent agritourism and agricultural education at their finest.
"The majority of Michigan's population is removed from farming - far removed, so every opportunity we get to educate people about Michigan's vital agriculture industry is valuable," said Wood. "We suspect the novelty of the Famous Michigan Bovine will provide added interest and entertainment value to enhance these learning experiences."
Farm Bureau Insurance has additional promotional plans for the animal, including a "Name the Famous Michigan Bovine" contest coming up this fall.
As Michigan's largest farm insurer, Farm Bureau Insurance also plans to use the animal to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Farmowners policy in 2010. The company introduced the nation's first Farmowners policy in 1960 and has been the leader in Michigan farm protection ever since.
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Editor's Note: Differentiating steers from cows - A steer is a male bovine that has been castrated. A cow is a female bovine that has given birth. Steers are typically raised for beef production as opposed to their female cow counterparts which are primarily raised for milk production.
'Famous Michigan Bovine' gets new home to show off unique hide
Farm Bureau Insurance buys, loans animal to Michigan learning farm
Contact: Luke Schafer, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2753 or Jill Corrin, ext. 6585
LANSING, July 24, 2008 - A steer who became a celebrity because he has a map of Michigan on his hide will have a permanent home in Michigan, thanks to Farm Bureau Insurance.
The Lansing-based insurer purchased the unique animal from Saginaw County cattle farmer Jacob Kessler, and has relocated the steer to the Wolcott Mill Farm Learning Center in Macomb County.
The animal's hide has distinctive markings which embody the state of Michigan. On one side is the Michigan mitten, which he is famous for, and the other side a large U, which Farm Bureau Insurance says stands for the Upper Peninsula.
Known as the "Famous Michigan Bovine," the steer made national news because of its unusual markings and became a celebrity around Saginaw. Radio commentator Paul Harvey mentioned the animal on his news show, and several newspapers and Web sites ran photos of the steer.
"We call ourselves Michigan's Insurance Company because we're dedicated to serving only Michigan. We also want to bring a little fun to the state. The Famous Michigan Bovine is like a fun gift to the people of Michigan," said Jim Robinson, Farm Bureau Insurance executive vice president.
The steer, born May 7, 2006, on Kessler's farm in Spaulding Township just outside of Saginaw, is a full-blooded Michigander, according to Luke Schafer, public relations manager for Farm Bureau Insurance.
"He was born in Michigan, raised in Michigan, and he's staying in Michigan," Schafer said. "Our state has the robin, white tail deer, and the wolverine, but this is the first Michigan mascot that actually features the state on its body."
A new home
After purchasing the animal July 18, Farm Bureau Insurance loaned it to the Wolcott Mill Farm Learning Center in Ray Township, where it will be on display to the general public for the next several years. The center, part of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, is an operational farm where visitors can experience the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of modern farm life.
"This will be a great home for the Famous Michigan Bovine," said Robinson. "He'll spend his life with other farm animals, be accessible to any Michigan resident who wants to see him, and live out his days drawing visitors to the Wolcott Mill Metropark."
Wayne H. Wood, president of the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies, said the steer and its new home represent agritourism and agricultural education at their finest.
"The majority of Michigan's population is removed from farming - far removed, so every opportunity we get to educate people about Michigan's vital agriculture industry is valuable," said Wood. "We suspect the novelty of the Famous Michigan Bovine will provide added interest and entertainment value to enhance these learning experiences."
Farm Bureau Insurance has additional promotional plans for the animal, including a "Name the Famous Michigan Bovine" contest coming up this fall.
As Michigan's largest farm insurer, Farm Bureau Insurance also plans to use the animal to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Farmowners policy in 2010. The company introduced the nation's first Farmowners policy in 1960 and has been the leader in Michigan farm protection ever since.
-30-
Editor's Note: Differentiating steers from cows - A steer is a male bovine that has been castrated. A cow is a female bovine that has given birth. Steers are typically raised for beef production as opposed to their female cow counterparts which are primarily raised for milk production.
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Early sign-up for Michigan Bio-Economy Summit encouraged
Address by 'Energy Victory' author Robert Zubrin on agenda
Contact: Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023
LANSING, July 24, 2008 - With runaway energy prices weighing on everyone's mind and wallet these days, the agricultural community and others interested in advancing alternative forms of renewable energy are encouraged to take advantage of discounts for early registration to the Michigan Bio-Economy Summit.
Scheduled to take place Sept. 17 at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing, the one-day summit will bring together a slew of experts for a general session covering everything from food and fuel to oil blending and refining, followed by breakout sessions that go into detail about ethanol, methane digesters, ethanol produced from cellulose and other feedstocks, as well as new opportunities for bio-based products and feedstocks such as algae.
The summit is being sponsored by the Michigan Agri-Business Association, Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB), Corn Marketing Program of Michigan/Michigan Corn Growers Association and GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
Early registration is available through Aug. 25 at the discounted price of $100 per person for members of MFB and other conference sponsors, and $125 for non-members. After Aug. 25, the cost per person is $125 for members of MFB and other conference sponsors, and $150 for non-members.
Energy Victory
Farm Bureau is sponsoring the opening session's keynote address by world-renowned engineer and best-selling author Robert Zubrin. The author's latest book titled "Energy Victory" lays out a vision for a dynamic, new energy policy that he says will safeguard America's homeland security and provide solutions for global warming and Third World development.
In "Energy Victory," Zubrin writes how the United States could use fuel dollars that he says are now being sent to countries with ties to terrorism to help farmers here and abroad, boosting the domestic economy and funding world development. He also argues that switching to alcohol fuels, which pollute less than gasoline and are made from plants that draw carbon dioxide from the air, will facilitate the worldwide economic growth required to eliminate global poverty without the fear of greenhouse warming.
Zubrin's plan is straightforward. He contends that if Congress passed a law requiring that all new cars sold in the United States be flex-fueled - that is, able to run on any combination of gasoline or alcohol fuels - this one action would destroy the monopoly that the oil cartel has maintained on the globe's transportation fuel supply and open the door for competition from alcohol fuels produced by farmers worldwide.
Additional details
The event begins at 7 a.m. with registration and the Lansing Ag Club breakfast, followed by the opening session at 9 a.m. and lunch at noon. Breakout sessions begin at 1 p.m.
To register for the Michigan Bio-Economy Summit or obtain more information visit the MABA Web site at www.miagbiz.org or call the MABA office at (517) 336-0223.
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AGRITIPS:
Early sign-up for Michigan Bio-Economy Summit encouraged
Address by 'Energy Victory' author Robert Zubrin on agenda
Contact: Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023
LANSING, July 24, 2008 - With runaway energy prices weighing on everyone's mind and wallet these days, the agricultural community and others interested in advancing alternative forms of renewable energy are encouraged to take advantage of discounts for early registration to the Michigan Bio-Economy Summit.
Scheduled to take place Sept. 17 at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing, the one-day summit will bring together a slew of experts for a general session covering everything from food and fuel to oil blending and refining, followed by breakout sessions that go into detail about ethanol, methane digesters, ethanol produced from cellulose and other feedstocks, as well as new opportunities for bio-based products and feedstocks such as algae.
The summit is being sponsored by the Michigan Agri-Business Association, Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB), Corn Marketing Program of Michigan/Michigan Corn Growers Association and GreenStone Farm Credit Services.
Early registration is available through Aug. 25 at the discounted price of $100 per person for members of MFB and other conference sponsors, and $125 for non-members. After Aug. 25, the cost per person is $125 for members of MFB and other conference sponsors, and $150 for non-members.
Energy Victory
Farm Bureau is sponsoring the opening session's keynote address by world-renowned engineer and best-selling author Robert Zubrin. The author's latest book titled "Energy Victory" lays out a vision for a dynamic, new energy policy that he says will safeguard America's homeland security and provide solutions for global warming and Third World development.
In "Energy Victory," Zubrin writes how the United States could use fuel dollars that he says are now being sent to countries with ties to terrorism to help farmers here and abroad, boosting the domestic economy and funding world development. He also argues that switching to alcohol fuels, which pollute less than gasoline and are made from plants that draw carbon dioxide from the air, will facilitate the worldwide economic growth required to eliminate global poverty without the fear of greenhouse warming.
Zubrin's plan is straightforward. He contends that if Congress passed a law requiring that all new cars sold in the United States be flex-fueled - that is, able to run on any combination of gasoline or alcohol fuels - this one action would destroy the monopoly that the oil cartel has maintained on the globe's transportation fuel supply and open the door for competition from alcohol fuels produced by farmers worldwide.
Additional details
The event begins at 7 a.m. with registration and the Lansing Ag Club breakfast, followed by the opening session at 9 a.m. and lunch at noon. Breakout sessions begin at 1 p.m.
To register for the Michigan Bio-Economy Summit or obtain more information visit the MABA Web site at www.miagbiz.org or call the MABA office at (517) 336-0223.
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AGRITIPS:
Ag leaders seek public comment on Right-to-Farm conformance standards
A public meeting to gather comments on the 2009 drafts of the state's Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) has been scheduled Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. in the Lake Superior Room of the Michigan Library and Historical Center in Lansing. The Michigan Right to Farm Act provides nuisance protection for farms, but in order to have this protection, the farm must conform to GAAMPs, which are set by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture. These GAAMPs are reviewed annually by scientific committees and revised and updated as necessary. Public comment is accepted and considered before final versions of the GAAMPs are approved. Public comment will be taken on the following GAAMPs: Manure Management and Utilization, Site Selection for New and Expanding Livestock Production Facilities, and Care of Farm Animals. The GAAMPs regarding Nutrient Utilization, Irrigation Water Use, Pesticide Utilization and Pest Control, and Cranberry Production have no proposed changes for 2009. Written comments may be submitted to MDA's Environmental Stewardship Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909, or via e-mail to kizziara@michigan.gov by 5 p.m. Aug. 19. For a copy of these GAAMPs, including the proposed revisions, visit www.michigan.gov/gaamps, or contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture's Environmental Stewardship Division at (517) 373-9797, or toll free at (877) 632-1783.
Contact: Tonia Ritter, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2048
A public meeting to gather comments on the 2009 drafts of the state's Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) has been scheduled Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. in the Lake Superior Room of the Michigan Library and Historical Center in Lansing. The Michigan Right to Farm Act provides nuisance protection for farms, but in order to have this protection, the farm must conform to GAAMPs, which are set by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture. These GAAMPs are reviewed annually by scientific committees and revised and updated as necessary. Public comment is accepted and considered before final versions of the GAAMPs are approved. Public comment will be taken on the following GAAMPs: Manure Management and Utilization, Site Selection for New and Expanding Livestock Production Facilities, and Care of Farm Animals. The GAAMPs regarding Nutrient Utilization, Irrigation Water Use, Pesticide Utilization and Pest Control, and Cranberry Production have no proposed changes for 2009. Written comments may be submitted to MDA's Environmental Stewardship Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909, or via e-mail to kizziara@michigan.gov by 5 p.m. Aug. 19. For a copy of these GAAMPs, including the proposed revisions, visit www.michigan.gov/gaamps, or contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture's Environmental Stewardship Division at (517) 373-9797, or toll free at (877) 632-1783.
Contact: Tonia Ritter, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2048
August deadlines are fast approaching for many Farm Service Agency services
The Michigan Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reminding farmers of several fast-approaching deadlines in August. To begin with, the acreage reporting deadline for several farm bill programs has been extended to Aug. 15. Producers are required to report all their cropland, including the field planting date, to qualify for payments from the following programs: Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program, Commodity Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments, Conservation Reserve Program Annual Rental Payments, and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Farms where the acreage is not timely reported will be assessed a late-filing fee in order to retain program benefits. FSA also reminds farmers that failed acreage must be reported within 15 days of the disaster event and before the crop is destroyed. Prevented planting must be reported no later than 15 days after the final planting date to ensure eligibility and to maintain crop history. Also, all disaster-affected crops must be reported before the crop is destroyed. An Aug. 1 deadline looms for Farm Reconstitution requests. In FSA terms, farms are constituted to group all tracts having the same owner and the same operator under one farm serial number. When ownership of land changes and the land no longer meets the definition of a farm or the operation changes, a farm reconstitution is required. Reconstitution is the process of combining or dividing farms or tracts of land based on the farming operation. As well, producers have until Aug. 1 to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees. FSA county committees help local farmers through their decisions on commodity price support loans, conservation programs and disaster programs, and by working closely with county executive directors. For information on any of the above, farmers should contact their local FSA office.
Contact: Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023
The Michigan Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reminding farmers of several fast-approaching deadlines in August. To begin with, the acreage reporting deadline for several farm bill programs has been extended to Aug. 15. Producers are required to report all their cropland, including the field planting date, to qualify for payments from the following programs: Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program, Commodity Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments, Conservation Reserve Program Annual Rental Payments, and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Farms where the acreage is not timely reported will be assessed a late-filing fee in order to retain program benefits. FSA also reminds farmers that failed acreage must be reported within 15 days of the disaster event and before the crop is destroyed. Prevented planting must be reported no later than 15 days after the final planting date to ensure eligibility and to maintain crop history. Also, all disaster-affected crops must be reported before the crop is destroyed. An Aug. 1 deadline looms for Farm Reconstitution requests. In FSA terms, farms are constituted to group all tracts having the same owner and the same operator under one farm serial number. When ownership of land changes and the land no longer meets the definition of a farm or the operation changes, a farm reconstitution is required. Reconstitution is the process of combining or dividing farms or tracts of land based on the farming operation. As well, producers have until Aug. 1 to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees. FSA county committees help local farmers through their decisions on commodity price support loans, conservation programs and disaster programs, and by working closely with county executive directors. For information on any of the above, farmers should contact their local FSA office.
Contact: Bob Boehm, (800) 292-2680, ext. 2023
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MICHIGAN CROP WEATHER:
Crops responded well to the warmth and humidity for the week ending July 20, reports the Michigan Field Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn grew well and was mostly in good to excellent condition with ears silking quickly. The warmth helped improve the condition of soybeans in many areas following a slow start this year. Winter wheat harvest was approaching completion in some areas. In others, though, the humidity and rain have forced farmers to wait for drier weather to harvest. Re-growth of alfalfa benefited from the weather with many growers able to harvest a second cutting. However, rains and moisture slowed harvest in some areas. Meanwhile, dry beans were in fair to good condition with some farmers reporting damage from excess moisture.
In the fruit sector, apples continued to size well in the northwest and west central regions. Blueberry harvest began on early varieties in the southeast, while blueberry harvest was in full swing in the southwest. Sweet cherry harvest was under way in the northwest. Tart cherry harvest began in the northwest and west central regions, while harvest ended in the southwest and was approximately three-quarters complete in the southeast.
The warm, dry weather has also been good for vegetables. Celery was doing better and growing rapidly after a period of excess water in fields. Although flooding damaged some fields, onion growth was recovering.
The USDA-NASS-Michigan Field Office can be reached at (517) 324-5300. This information is also available online at http://www.nass.usda.gov/mi.
Table 1 - Soil moisture for week ending 07-20-2008
Stratum: (Very Short, Short, Adequate, Surplus)
Topsoil: (3, 11, 74, 12)
Subsoil: (3, 16, 77, 4)
Table 2 - Crop Progress for week ending 07-20-2008 (percent)
Crop: (This Week, Last Week, Last Year, 5yr. Avg.)
Corn, heigh in inches: (56, 44, 64, 54)
All hay, second cutting: (50, 29, 59, 53)
Blueberries, harvested: (27, 15, 25, 21)
Dry beans, blooming: (10, NA, 14, 22)
Soybeans, blooming: (64, 31, 63, 54)
Strawberries, harvested: (95, 85, 100, 100)
Tart cherries, harvested: (25, 10, 52, 58)
Winter wheat, harvested: (47, 4, 79, 46)
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MICHIGAN CROP WEATHER:
Crops responded well to the warmth and humidity for the week ending July 20, reports the Michigan Field Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn grew well and was mostly in good to excellent condition with ears silking quickly. The warmth helped improve the condition of soybeans in many areas following a slow start this year. Winter wheat harvest was approaching completion in some areas. In others, though, the humidity and rain have forced farmers to wait for drier weather to harvest. Re-growth of alfalfa benefited from the weather with many growers able to harvest a second cutting. However, rains and moisture slowed harvest in some areas. Meanwhile, dry beans were in fair to good condition with some farmers reporting damage from excess moisture.
In the fruit sector, apples continued to size well in the northwest and west central regions. Blueberry harvest began on early varieties in the southeast, while blueberry harvest was in full swing in the southwest. Sweet cherry harvest was under way in the northwest. Tart cherry harvest began in the northwest and west central regions, while harvest ended in the southwest and was approximately three-quarters complete in the southeast.
The warm, dry weather has also been good for vegetables. Celery was doing better and growing rapidly after a period of excess water in fields. Although flooding damaged some fields, onion growth was recovering.
The USDA-NASS-Michigan Field Office can be reached at (517) 324-5300. This information is also available online at http://www.nass.usda.gov/mi.
Table 1 - Soil moisture for week ending 07-20-2008
Stratum: (Very Short, Short, Adequate, Surplus)
Topsoil: (3, 11, 74, 12)
Subsoil: (3, 16, 77, 4)
Table 2 - Crop Progress for week ending 07-20-2008 (percent)
Crop: (This Week, Last Week, Last Year, 5yr. Avg.)
Corn, heigh in inches: (56, 44, 64, 54)
All hay, second cutting: (50, 29, 59, 53)
Blueberries, harvested: (27, 15, 25, 21)
Dry beans, blooming: (10, NA, 14, 22)
Soybeans, blooming: (64, 31, 63, 54)
Strawberries, harvested: (95, 85, 100, 100)
Tart cherries, harvested: (25, 10, 52, 58)
Winter wheat, harvested: (47, 4, 79, 46)
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QUICK FACTS:
July is National Ice Cream Month
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day.
Ice cream's origins are known to reach back as far as the second century B.C. Alexander the Great apparently enjoyed snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar. Biblical references also show that King Solomon was fond of iced drinks during harvest.
Manufacturing of ice cream in America was pioneered in 1851 by a Baltimore milk dealer. Up until 1800, ice cream in America was a rare and exotic dessert enjoyed mostly by the elite.
Today's U.S. ice cream industry generates more than $21 billion in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens.
About 9 percent of all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream.
The United States leads the world in annual production of ice cream and related frozen desserts with 1.6 billion gallons produced in 2006.
America's top five favorite individual ice cream flavors are vanilla, chocolate, butter pecan, strawberry and chocolate chip mint.
Source: International Dairy Foods Association
QUICK FACTS:
July is National Ice Cream Month
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day.
Ice cream's origins are known to reach back as far as the second century B.C. Alexander the Great apparently enjoyed snow and ice flavored with honey and nectar. Biblical references also show that King Solomon was fond of iced drinks during harvest.
Manufacturing of ice cream in America was pioneered in 1851 by a Baltimore milk dealer. Up until 1800, ice cream in America was a rare and exotic dessert enjoyed mostly by the elite.
Today's U.S. ice cream industry generates more than $21 billion in annual sales and provides jobs for thousands of citizens.
About 9 percent of all the milk produced by U.S. dairy farmers is used to produce ice cream.
The United States leads the world in annual production of ice cream and related frozen desserts with 1.6 billion gallons produced in 2006.
America's top five favorite individual ice cream flavors are vanilla, chocolate, butter pecan, strawberry and chocolate chip mint.
Source: International Dairy Foods Association
__________________________________________________________________________
You are receiving this e-mail because you are subscribed to Michigan Farm Bureau's AgriNotes & News. To unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. If you did not receive this e-mail directly from us and would like to be added to our list, please send an e-mail with your contact information to mfbinfo@michfb.com with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.